Road To Love (5 page)

Travis
paused outside of Abigail’s room.  He couldn’t stop thinking about the previous evening.  Just thinking about her lips on his made him want her even more.  In fact it startled him on how much he wanted her.  However, he would then scold himself because she was his best friend’s little sister and it wasn’t right.

He bypassed her room and headed down the stairs instead.  It was safer territory.  When he got downstairs he looked outside and noticed that Carolyn’s car was in the driveway; it was clear that she had stayed over.  When he turned away from the window he saw Abigail at the foot of the steps.  “Good morning.”  Her cool tone was refreshing.

“Good morning.”

“Would you like me to make breakfast?”  She asked as she hurried to the kitchen.

“That’s not necessary.”  He replied as he joined her.  She continued to busy herself so he reached out and touched her hand.  Her eyes first went to his hand and then she turned and faced him.  He, for a split second, considered kissing her and let it all work itself out in the end.  Instead he broke her gaze and pulled his hand away from hers.  “Let’s have a seat first.”  She nodded as she followed him to the table.  “First of all, I have to you one thing that I didn’t see coming.  You are a very beautiful woman Abigail; I would be blind not to notice that.  When I saw you I didn’t think I would be as attracted to you as I clearly am.”  He hesitated before going on.  “I kissed you last night because I wanted to.  We had an amazing night out and that seemed like it was the best way to end it.”

“
Travis, I wasn’t expecting that, but…”

“Please, let me finish.”  He quietly interrupted.  “Today when I woke up, reality set in.”

“Reality?”

“Abigail, we have spent the majority of our lives fighting with each other.  Just because we went one night, and let’s face it we didn’t go the entire night, without fighting we are ready to call it more?  You are Todd’s little sister and that reason alone puts you off limits.”

“I’m not a little girl anymore.”

“I know; believe me, I know.  However, you are still his little sister and you always will be.  The attraction is there and last night was great, but that’s all it can be.”

“So, you’re saying the kiss is a mistake.”

“I’m saying that until you can figure a way to take back every name we’ve ever called each other and every prank we’ve ever played on one another, and no longer be Todd’s little sister there’s nothing else to say.  In the moment, the kiss was not a mistake, but thinking back I should have just gone back to my house and been as far from you as possible.”

“You didn’t want to be around your ex.”

He looked at her; it was the moment of truth.  “I haven’t been exactly honest with you.  Yesterday when I went home to change, she was already gone.”

Abigail looked away and he could see the wheels turning in her head.  “This was all a charade?  You could have easily gone home and none of this would be happening?”

“Yes, but…”

“Why did you lie?”

“I didn’t want to go home.”

“That doesn’t make sense; why?”

“I was afraid that if I told you the truth then you wouldn’t want to go out with me.”

“You’re right, but if you’re telling me that we would never work out, what would it have mattered?”

“I don’t know; I didn’t realize the impact my conscience would have on my decisions.  I am sorry that I lead you on; it was never my intention.”

“It’s okay; it happens.  It was foolish to think we would ever be anything else, but acquaintances.

“Abigail, we’re friends.”

“Friends?  The last time I checked friends didn’t lie to each other.”

“I thought that I was doing the right thing.”

“You were doing the right thing for yourself; that’s the only person you took into consideration.”

The words were to the point, but he supposed she was right.  “Are you guys at it again?”

He turned around and saw Carolyn and Todd in the kitchen; he hoped he didn’t hear much.  By the smiles on their faces, he was sure that his problems were the least of their concerns.

***

Abigail turned from Travis and stared at Todd and his girlfriend.  She was so caught up in Travis that she didn’t realize Carolyn had stayed over.  “When are you two going to have five minutes where you can just get along?”

Abigail thought about the kiss; they definitely weren’t fighting then.  “Carolyn, I didn’t know you were here.”  She quickly changed the subject.

“We went out celebrating last night and got back too late.”

“Celebrating?” 
Travis quietly asked.

Carolyn held out her hand and smiled.  “We’re getting married.”

Abigail looked down at the ring.  “Congratulations.”  She wasn’t surprised, but she thought they would wait until she was out of school.  She still had a year to go.  “I’m so happy for you guys.”  She hugged them both.  “I have to admit, I thought that you would wait until Carolyn graduated.”

“We contemplated that, but I don’t think I can wait that long.”  Todd chuckled.  “So, we are getting married in November, right after Thanksgiving.  We’ll take our honeymoon when she graduates.  I went to Tulsa to discuss plans of moving my office to Colorado.  Once she graduates I will be moving us to Love, Colorado; that is where her family lives.”

“Wow;” Abigail couldn’t believe he had everything worked out.

“Abby, I have thought of everything and now it’s finally coming into place.”

“I can see that.”  She looked at Carolyn.  “I know you will be an amazing wife to my brother.”

“Thank you, but I do have a favor to ask of you.”  Abigail nodded.  “I have no sisters and I would be appreciative if you would be my Maid of Honor.”

Abigail was shocked, but pleased.  “I would like that.”  Carolyn hugged her.  “Thank you for the offering.”

Todd then turned to
Travis.  “I’m hoping you will be my Best Man.”

“Wouldn’t have it any other way.”  Abigail
watched them hug and she felt a sense of regret.  She wished things could be different between her and Travis.  However, she did believe a trust that could have been there was lost when he didn’t tell her the truth.

“I can’t believe it.  In 4 months I will be getting married.”  Abigail watched them kiss.  She then glanced at
Travis and he too was looking at her.

Abigail busied herself settling into her new apartment and finding a job.  When she was hired at a nearby fashion studio she knew everything would work itself out.  The months started to fly by and she didn’t even get a chance to think much about her personal life.  Whenever she had a chance she helped Carolyn with wedding plans and periodically that meant having to see
Travis, but it was always business.  They each steered clear of making anything personal.

When the week of the wedding rolled around she was standing in Todd’s driveway as they were getting ready to head to Colorado.  “When are you coming up?”  Abigail had to roll her eyes.

“You worry too much; you’re like a girl.”  She teased.  “I will be there on Wednesday night.”

“I really wish you would reconsider and come up with
Travis.”

It wasn’t the first time she had heard that silly notion.  “Todd, it’s fine.  You don’t have to fret about me; I can make it on my own.”

“Abby, it looks like we’re going to get some snow.”

She started to laugh.  “I’ve driven in snow before Todd.”

“I wish that you could go up with mom and dad.”

“We’ve been through this before; I couldn’t ask to have that much time off and they’re going up tomorrow.  Don’t worry; I will get there.”

“I’m your big brother; it’s my job to worry.”

Abigail smiled.  “I know and I love you for it, but I have my phone and if I need it I will call for help.”  She hugged him and then turned to Carolyn.  “You guys be safe.”  After hugging Carolyn they got into their vehicle.  “I’ll see you in a few days.”

She waved as they drove away.  She definitely was not going to go with Travis and no one was going to change her mind.

***

Travis was finishing up packing when he heard his phone ringing.  Upon glancing at the caller id, he saw Todd’s cell number.  “Hey buddy; have you gotten to Colorado?”

“We’ll be there in about 2 hours, but I needed to ask you a favor.”

“Sure; it’s your wedding, what do you need?”

“I need you to bring my sister to Colorado.”

Travis laughed.  “I will do anything, but that.”

“I don’t know what happened that night you went out, but things have been even
tenser than before.  Can’t you put your past behind you and put up with each other for a few hours?”

“It’s more than 11 hours and you know that I have asked her to come with me.  She has refused multiple times.  There’s nothing else I can do.”

“I have been watching weather reports and I don’t want her on the road alone; even if that means you follow each other.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

“Promise me Travis.”

He didn’t want to make a promise that he couldn’t keep.  “I promise you that I will try; she is a stubborn woman.”

“Yes she is, but I feel better knowing that you will make another attempt.  Goodbye Travis.”

“Goodbye.”  He threw the phone down.  He didn’t know how he could convince her to go with him, but didn’t want to disappoint Todd; so he would figure a way.

***

Abigail looked through her list and checked off everything she needed to remember.  As she was moving onto her luggage she heard a knock at her door.  “Coming;” she opened the door and saw
Travis standing there.  “Oh; it’s you.”  She turned away from the door as he entered.

“Your greetings are getting better.”

She heard the door shut and she looked at him.  “What are you doing here?  Did you come so that we can have one last argument before Todd’s wedding?”

“I came so that we can come to an agreement before his wedding.  I want to be as civil as we possibly can before the wedding.  I was hoping you wanted that too.”

“I do;” she mumbled.

“Good; then do something for me.”

“What?”

“Let me drive you to Colorado.  It will be a wedding gift that your brother will never forget.”

“Did he call you?”

“Yes, but only because he heard there’s a storm coming and he wants you to be safe.”

“I would be safer alone.”  She let it slip under her breath.

“What was that?”

“Nothing; I appreciate the concern, but I would much rather go alone and I am sure that you feel the same way.  No offense, but I’m independent and this is the way I like it.”

“It doesn’t matter to me; I could care less what happens, but I am trying to appease your brother.”

Abigail couldn’t believe he had said that and she wondered if it even registered in his mind.  “I’ll take care of my brother; you don’t need to watch and protect me.  Now, if you don’t mind I have packing to finish and a busy day tomorrow.”

“Fine, but if you change your mind…”

“I won’t.”  She pushed him out the door and went back to her list.  She knew he was a jerk, but she didn’t know he was thoughtless.  It was fine by her that he didn’t care about her, because she didn’t care about him.

***

She had woken up the next morning early.  She didn’t want to get there any later than 10:00 PM.  She loaded the vehicle and looked up at the sky.  It did look like it was going to start snowing at any moment.  She pulled her coat tight around her.  The breeze was cutting through her sweater.  She ran back into her apartment and grabbed a heavier coat, scarf, and gloves and headed back out to the car.

Glancing back in the trunk she made sure she didn’t forget anything.  When she was satisfied, she closed up the trunk and got into the car.  She dreaded long car trips, but she loved weddings; even it was her only brother’s and she knew that nothing was going to ever be the same.

Travis tried his hardest to keep up with her.  He didn’t realize she had a lead foot.  When she was adamant that they go separate he knew the only way to keep his promise was to follow her.  The only trick was that she couldn’t know.

Now, he felt like a stalker and he was crazy to think that it would work.  When she pulled into a restaurant he was relieved.  He was hungry and he decided that it was time to make
him known.  He didn’t want to be too obvious so he waited about 15 minutes and then headed into the restaurant.

He spotted her the minute he entered, but her back was to him.  “I would like a burger, fries, and water.  Thanks.”  He paid for the food and casually looked her way.  She still hadn’t noticed him.  When he had his food he headed her way. 

She looked up as he reached her table.  “Hm…are you following me now?”

“No; I’m not following you.  I have to eat too.”

“Whatever!”

“May I join you?”

“Actually, I was just finishing.  Can’t waste any time; see ya there!”

She was gone before he could get a word out.  It didn’t matter; he could catch up to her.  He quickly ate his food; he was sure it was a world record.  When he exited the restaurant, he saw that she was still there.  He walked over the driver’s side window and peered inside the car.  She hit her wheel and he tapped on the window.  “Open the door.”

She glared at him, but did as he said.  “Did you do this?”

“Yes I tampered with your car so that you would do me the pleasure of riding with me.  You will make such great company.”

“Well, it wouldn’t be your first prank.”

“Contrary to what I said to you, I don’t want anything to happen to you.  Put your hood up.”  She obliged, but
Travis saw her reluctance.

He looked in the hood and moved some levers, but didn’t see anything glaringly obvious.  “Do you even know what you’re looking for?  He jumped he hadn’t seen her get out of the car.  He really had no idea what to look for, but he didn’t want to tell her that.

“Geesh, jumpy much?”

“Only with some people;” he mumbled.  Their eyes on briefly connected; “I know my way around some cars, but I don’t know what it is; I’m not a mechanic.  My advice is to call a tow truck have it towed some place that can check it out; you can come with me, and leave you car in a mechanic’s hands.”

“You would like that; wouldn’t you?”

“Frankly, I don’t care what you want to do.  I do care if you have to miss your brother’s wedding because you’re stubbornness is keeping you from swallowing your pride.”

“I could rent a car.”

“You could, but it’s a holiday and chances are you won’t get far.”

“Why do you have to keep shooting down my ideas?”

After thinking of various reasons he threw up his hands.  “I’m going back to the car; if you need a ride you can let me know.”  She didn’t say anything as she turned and left.

He watched her as she made numerous phone calls; each time looking more defeated than the first.  At one point he saw the tow truck as it came to the restaurant and get her car.  He considered helping her get her bags out of the trunk, but he knew she wouldn’t accept his help.  She didn’t look his way; she continued to make phone calls.  As the minutes ticked away and the flurries began to fall, he knew it was time to get forceful.  He went back over to where she was standing; her pitiful expression made him want to embrace her.  However, he stopped himself.  “This is the worst day ever.  My car broke down, there are no rentals available, and it’s starting to snow.”

“I know and now you’re stuck
travelling with a guy that makes your blood boil.  When will it ever stop?”

“I’m sure that you don’t want this anymore than I do.”

“I’m fine with it; I just want it as relaxed as possible.  What do you say?”

“I don’t see that there’s any other way.”

He began to pick up her luggage and she joined him.  “We make it what it is, Abigail.”  He put her stuff into the back of his truck and turned to her.  “If we imagine that everything is fine then it will be.”

“Yeah, sure;” she mumbled as she got in the passenger seat.  He laughed.  Only 8 hours to go; everything would be fine, if they didn’t kill each other.

***

Two hours into the trip Abigail was sure it was a mistake.  She would have rather hitchhiked than having to deal with his questioning nature.  “Are you sure we are going the right way?”

She left out an exasperated sign.  “Yes; for the millionth time, the map showed that this is a shortcut.”

She saw him roll his eyes.  “We haven’t seen any sign of civilization for miles and the snow is falling harder.  I hate to have to question
you but it does seem odd that it’s taking us down such a bumpy road.”  The jarring and rampant movement of the road was enough to make anyone sick.

“Well, maybe you should invest in a GPS.  Get with the new era; it does wonders for people.”

“I’m sorry that I’m old-fashioned and like to look at a map.”

“I am telling
you; this is the way it said to go.  If you don’t like my navigation then I’ll drive.”

He chuckled at that.  “I don’t think so; give me the map.”

“You can’t read it and drive.”  She argued.

However, by that time his hand was on the map and his truck started to fish-tail.  “Hold on!”  He yelled as his arm flew in front of her and they went headfirst into a snow bank.  “Are you alright?”  She noticed a look of concern flash over his face.

“I am, but I told you not to grab for it.”

“
Abigail now is not the time to point out wrongdoings.”  She didn’t say anything else.  “I have to try to get out of here.”  She only heard the sound of spinning tires as he attempted to back up.  He tried again, but they remained in one place.  “Stay right here.”  He ordered as he got out of the car.

He knelt down at the tires and then went to the other side of the truck.  She got out of the truck and went up to him.  “Will we be able to get out?”

“Don’t you ever listen?  I asked you to stay in the truck.”

“Correction, you TOLD me to stay in the truck.  Is there anything I could do to help?”

“Yes, you could get back in the truck.  It’s cold, snowing harder, and the last thing I need is for you to catch your death.”

“I didn’t know you cared.”

“I don’t, but your brother would be pretty mad at me.”

She ignored his sarcasm.  “Do you have a shovel?  Maybe we could dig our way out.”

“Yes, I just carry a shovel wherever I go.”

“There’s no reason to be testy; I’m not the one to drive into a drift.”

“You’re unbelievable.”

“Thank you;” she smirked.

“It’s not a compliment.  Maybe you weren’t the one to drive in the drift, but you didn’t do anything to help the situation.  None of this would have happened if you would just have come with me in the beginning.  We would have had plenty of time and wouldn’t have wanted to take a shortcut.”

“So it’s
my entire fault?”

“Abigail, let’s not argue anymore.  We have about an hour of light left and it’s late.  It’s the day before Thanksgiving and the
chance of getting someone out here tonight is minimal.”

“There has to be a way; where would we sleep?”  As the realization really hit her she started to hyperventilate.

“Abigail, listen to me…” he touched her shoulders and didn’t continue until she looked in his eyes.  “I’m not going to let anything happen to us.  I just have to think.”

She nodded as he went back to surveying the damage.  As he walked back around the car she followed him.  “What was that?”  She looked up as she heard the rustling in the trees and a low moan.

“What was what?”

She waited and heard it again.  “That, it sounds like a bear.”  She tried to look between the trees as she clutched on tightly to his arm.  The only thing she saw was snow and trees.

“It’s not a bear.”  His voice was shaky, proving that he didn’t know what it was.  When they heard it again and it sounded like it was closer he looked at her.  “Abigail, listen to me…RUN!”  He grabbed her hand and they ran as fast as they could.  They didn’t know where they were headed, but they tore through the woods and Abigail felt like her lungs were about to explode.

“Ugh…” she cried as her foot hit a tree root and she went down.  He face was pushed in the snow and she would’ve cried had she not been astounded by the impact.

“Are you okay?”  He reached down and pulled her up by the arm.

“I’m fine;” she got up and quickly brushed her pant knees.  “Where are we going to go?”

“I don’t know.”  They hurried towards the unknown destination; this time being more careful not to trip and fall.  “Over here.”  Like a sign from GOD, a little shack came into view.  Abigail hesitated.  “Right now we only have two options.  We can stay out here and freeze, possibly getting mauled by a bear, or we can take a chance.”

“Someone could live here.”

“It doesn’t appear too likely, but at any moment we will have no light.  Besides, the windows are all boarded up.  I’m sure that if someone once lived here, they’re long gone.  Let’s just try the door.”

Upon checking the door they saw that it was open.  He motioned for her to enter with him.  Reluctantly she did.  The cabin was dark, but she could tell that it was vacant and more than likely it had been many years since it was occupied.  “It’s dirty.”  She scrunched her nose and he laughed.

“I doubt that it is a housekeeper.  It will do until tomorrow.”

“I guess so, but it will get even darker in here.”

“When I go back out, I will get a couple of flashlights.”

“What do you mean when you go back out?”

“I have to go back to the truck.  We’re going to need blankets.”

“
Travis, isn’t there some other way we can keep warm?  He chuckled and she realized how that sounded.  “I mean, there’s a fireplace and maybe we could find some wood.”

“I have to go back to the truck, but I’ll wait it out for a little while.”  The shack grew quiet.  “How are you since your fall?”

“Bruised ego, but that’s all.  A little cold on the knees, but I’ll manage.”

“You better call Todd and tell him were not going to make it tonight.”

She nodded as she dialed up his number, but the call kept saying failed.  “Great;” she mumbled.

“No service?”

“It doesn’t surprise me; I wouldn’t have expected cell phone towers.  This day just keeps getting better.”  She cringed when she felt the tears spring to her eyes.  She started to sob and she felt him touch her shoulder.  “He’ll wonder where I am, but then he’ll question where you are.  We aren’t even supposed to be together.  He won’t know that we are.”

“Abigail, he knows we’re together.”

“How?”  Her sobbing slowly lessened.

“I told him I would do whatever I had to, to watch over you.  In this case it came down to following you.”

“You mean you did follow me from the apartment?”

“I had a promise to keep.  Are you mad we deceived you?”

Abigail contemplated that until she slowly shook her head.  She was surprised that she wasn’t angered by the deception.  “Thank you!”

“You’re thanking me?  What for?”

“If you hadn’t have followed me, I could still be stuck at the restaurant.”

He snickered.  “Yeah, but we’re still stuck.”

“True, but I’m not alone and frankly I’m grateful for that.  I might have a cool exterior, but I am not as brave and I look.”

“I didn’t think you would ever find being stuck with me an advantage.”

Abigail smiled.  “There’s first time for everything.”  In that moment she was starting to feel better about the situation.